Route Ideas?

[moab_cj5]

My wife and I will be taking 2-3 days in October to see the leaves, and explore the mountains in SL and UT county. My original thought was to go from one of the Cottonwood canyons over to PC or Middway, then come back into AF canyon, then back over and spend the 1st night at Daniels Summit Lodge. On day 2 head from Daniels Summit toward Nebo or other pretty high mountain drives in the area before staying the night in UT county somewhere. The 3rd day is a day to meander north back home.

I am wide open for suggestions on routes to take as I have not explored any off pavement (or in most cases paved roads) in these areas. I am not looking to camp (we will be staying in hotels, no question), and I am not looking for real hard or challenging trails since I am taking the family to Moab the next weekend for that.

I appreciate any input!

 

[Coreshot]

You would have to go over Big Cottonwood and Guardsman Pass as there is no way out of the top of Little. Go over into AF, down past Tibble Fork and hang a left at the fork. This will take you back over the Alpine Loop, and drop you out at Sundance. Quick trip back to Heber that way. Definitely do the Nebo Loop if you end up down that way.

Depending on the weather we have between now and then, you might think about the Mirror Lake Hwy all the way over to Evanston...

 

[moab_cj5]

Looking at page 91 in my Benchmark Atlas, I was curious if anyone had info or experience with trail 056 in AF canyon? It is quadrant B4 on page 91. Is this a fun road? Scenic? I am also looking at road 027 (Squaw Peak Trail) from D11 to E12 on page 51. How is this road? Scenic? Worth exploring?

I will be finalizing my route options this week and will likely have more specific questions in the coming days. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[RogueJeepr]

If ya do go over Alpine Loop . Cascades Springs is a fun one to stop at for a short scenic hike.
Ive also wondered about trail 056 .
Squaw Peak trail is great and very scenic. Lots of berry trees near the top (be on the lookout for bears) . Its also long but only 4low is required when descending the steep side going into springville. Expect to burn about 2-3 hrs up there . Hope this helps.

 

[n1v3kt]

Squaw peak trail is gorgeous, especially with the leaves changing colours. There's some great views of rock canyon to be had. Only really one spot you may need 4wd (only cause it's wet) but otherwise it's just a rough road, not real obstacles. My mom's 2wd highlander traversed it during the dry with no trouble at all.

[Overlook of Rock Canyon]

 

[moab_cj5]

So, a slight change of plans. The plan now is to hit the Squaw Peak Trail on Thursday morning, then buzz down to the Nebo loop, back over toward HWY 89 and HWY 6 to spend the night at Daniels Summit. From there, we will head to Heber and Middway into American Fork Canyon, then up to Park City and spend the night there (thank you Hilton Points).


1st: Looking at the Nebo loop road, what would be more scenic, taking the main road out of Payson south and doing all pavement over Nebo, or catching trail 014 out of Santaquin and catching up with the pavement heading south?


2nd: Does anyone know if there is a legal connection from Nebo loop to trail 405? There is a trail on page 59 of the atlas that connects to 405 through Black Canyon, but it is designated as "other trail" in the atlas. Is that a road that is open?


3rd: Is the side trip on trail 160 worth the time?


4th: What is a more scenic connection to Hwy 89 from Hwy 132, Water Hollow Loop road or Big Hollow Road?


5th: What can you tell me about trail 125 on page 60? I am thinking i will take that from Indianola up to the Skyline drive, then catch that to HWY 6. Then depending on the time of day (hours of light left), pic my route to Daniels Summit either direct or scenic.


On Friday, we will leave Daniels Summit and head to Middway. The question is how long will it really take? I am thinking we will head north on 049 and then head West into Heber on 039 or the unnamed trail North of 039. Then head over to AF canyon from Soldier Hollow through Cascade Springs. Catch the Alpine loop to trail 056, then up to Tibble fork and over toward Guardsman Pass. Then, depending on the time of day, head to Brighton and back, or straight into Park City for the night.


6th: Is this too much for one day? Is this not enough for a full day? Obviously pace of travel will have a huge impact on miles covered, but these don't look on the map to be overly challenging trails that should slow me way down, but I haven't ever been on any of these roads, so I have no experience with how fast I can cover ground while still enjoying the scenery. I also don't want the route to be so rough my wife doesn't enjoy the journey.


7th: scenic are these areas? Will there be lots of leaves, or tons of barren mountains?


Thanks for all the input! I am trying to make this a memorable 15th anniversary for my wife.

 

[moab_cj5]

Bump for input, if any. Leaving tomorrow.

 

[Tonkaman]

Sounds like an awesome trip! I think the timing will be just right as long as she likes cruising around as much as you do. The roads are very well maintained, I wouldn't worry about them getting rough. That's a lot of beautiful country it will certainly be memorable

 

[bryson]

...
On Friday, we will leave Daniels Summit and head to Middway. The question is how long will it really take? I am thinking we will head north on 049 and then head West into Heber on 039 or the unnamed trail North of 039. Then head over to AF canyon from Soldier Hollow through Cascade Springs. Catch the Alpine loop to trail 056, then up to Tibble fork and over toward Guardsman Pass. Then, depending on the time of day, head to Brighton and back, or straight into Park City for the night....

I can't figure out this portion of your route - can you upload a map with a track or something? I can't make sense of your connections...

 

[moab_cj5]

Does this help? Its the best I have right now. My route options are the orange colored pencil over the trails.

I have only used the Benchmark Atlas so far.